{"id":36020,"date":"2023-01-31T01:58:44","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T08:58:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/construction-of-latter-day-saints-temple-continues-steadily-during-winter\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T02:28:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T08:28:54","slug":"construction-of-latter-day-saints-temple-continues-steadily-during-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/construction-of-latter-day-saints-temple-continues-steadily-during-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction of Latter-day Saints temple continues steadily during winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"The
The Farmington temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will serve church members in the Four Corners. (Greg Allen video)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expects the Farmington temple to be a boon to the region and a blessing to its members.<\/p>\n

At a recent Four Corners Economic Development Breakfast Briefing, officials from The Church of the Latter-day Saints presented an update on the progress of the Farmington Temple. The event, held Jan. 10 at Farmington Civic Center, drew about 90 attendees. The prominent location, 4400 College Blvd., acr<\/a>oss from San Juan College, allows easy access for visitors and members alike.<\/p>\n

Scott Bird, 4CED board member serving as moderator, thanked Perry Webb of Webb Automotive and Kirby Mortenson of Floor Traders for their contributions to put on the Breakfast Briefing \u201cpitching in a nice chunk\u201d and Kirby Mortenson with Floor Traders for their contribution.<\/p>\n

Bird, filling in for CEO Arvin Trujillo, who was attending the Navajo presidential inauguration, said 4CED is \u201chighly robust\u201d in its current activities. He asked attendees to fill out a questionnaire, especially about how they knew of the event and said 4CED is always looking for increased membership and financial support.<\/p>\n

Perry Webb, representing Church of the Latter-day Saints, said he contacted church headquarters in Salt Lake for input on updating the community about the progress of the Farmington temple. He said he was instructed to assume the task.<\/p>\n

\"Perry
Perry Webb believes the Farmington temple will greatly enhance the region. (Courtesy Greg Allen video)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Webb defined the meaning of the temple as, \u201cthe highest form of worship in our religion \u2013 it\u2019s a symbol of our membership. Other than our worshipping of our Heavenly Father and our savior Jesus Christ and the importance of families, there really isn\u2019t anything much more important than being able to worship in a temple.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first temple was built in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1836 after the church was organized in April 1830. Webb said it was \u201crequired by political and other pressures that they flee from Ohio and they had to abandon the temple.\u201d The second temple was built in Illinois, but members fled to the Salt Lake Valley. Within two years, that temple was burned and destroyed, but has been rebuilt.<\/p>\n

The iconic Salt Lake temple, which took 40 years to construct, is undergoing a major renovation. In 73 countries, there are 168 temples, with 53 under construction, 54 in stages of preconstruction, and four closed for renovation, Webb said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo put that in perspective, when I was born in 1949, there were eight temples, with only one outside the United States, and that was in Canada,\u201d he said. The Albuquerque temple, dedicated in 2000, was the nearest to this region.<\/p>\n

Webb said they \u201cdidn\u2019t know exactly\u201d how Farmington was selected for a temple site. He then presented a video of the president\/prophet making the formal announcement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2019, our president and prophet assigned the presiding bishop of our church to come to Farmington \u2026 to look at three preselected sites,\u201d said Webb, who grew up and raised a family in Farmington. Nobody knew about this except for one local couple. Norman Finch and his wife were assigned to escort him, but they were told to keep it confidential \u2026 because \u201cone may come or may not come,\u201d Webb said.<\/p>\n

The selection remains somewhat of a mystery, as there is no petitioning or application process.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur president and prophet through inspiration is guided when and where a temple will be located,\u201d Webb said.<\/p>\n

Porter Brothers Construction of Phoenix was chosen as the lead contractor and was tasked with the demolition of the meeting house that was on the site.<\/p>\n

On big screens, Webb showed photos of temples around the world, and said the Farmington temple will be about 30,000 square feet, just a bit smaller than the Albuquerque temple.<\/p>\n

Herb McClean said when the demolition was done, usable items went to other churches in the Farmington area and on the reservation. Parking lot lights, water fountains, pews, pianos, TVs, kitchen equipment, chairs, tables and doors were shared. A lift now helps a local preacher get to his lectern.<\/p>\n

\"Construction
Construction moves forward on the Farmington temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4400 College Blvd. (David Edward Albright\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The
The \u201cdesert rose\u201d design will be widely featured in the temple. (Courtesy of Greg Allen)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Herb
Herb and Lynette McClean serve as construction missionaries. (Courtesy Greg Allen)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Chance
Chance Porter is construction superintendent on his fifth temple. (Courtesy of Greg Allen)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"3D
3D imagery technology was used to engineer and build the temple foundation. (Greg Allen video)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cEvery temple is unique to the area that it\u2019s built in,\u201d Lynette McLean said as she pointed out the linking design inscribed below the roof line on the temple rendering. \u201cOften times we used the linking design because that\u2019s what we do, we link families together,\u201d she said. One design represents the pinon trees; another, the pine cones. The design, called \u201cdesert rose,\u201d also is in stained glass windows.<\/p>\n

The McCleans\u2019 duties as missionaries will be to document construction of the sacred site and minister to the crew, but not to proselytize. All workers and contractors are informed that they will be expected to perform a \u201clevel of craftsmanship that they may not have done anywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a very high standard \u2013 we call it \u2018Temple standards,\u2019\u201d Herb McClean said.<\/p>\n

Church members express their appreciation with cookies, notes and occasional lunches, including a lunch and open house a couple of weeks before Christmas. They were shown the family history center where families are linked through the generations.<\/p>\n

During an orientation, Herb McClean said, workers are asked to forgo substance abuse, alcohol, tobacco, profanity or music on-site. No markings are allowed on the building during construction.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis construction site has the best camaraderie of any construction site I\u2019ve been a part of,\u201d said Chance Porter, a fourth generation superintendent. He said their family tradition of building temples has linked generations and been a big part of his life. Porter said this was his fifth, and his company is building the temple in Grand Junction.<\/p>\n

He said his work and other work on temples is funded by church members \u2013 an estimated 16.8 million worldwide \u2013 who are asked to tithe 10% of their wealth to the church. Cost of the temple is not disclosed, Porter said.<\/p>\n

Contractors are selected by invitation from a group of previous associates using a request for proposal process, Porter said.<\/p>\n

The temple\u2019s Southwestern motif, which touches the inscriptions, glass, metal work and stonework, is all custom work, Porter said, alluding to the countless hours and meetings required of architect and project manager Johnny Hutchings.<\/p>\n

Stone came from Portugal, and windows from Italy and elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Porter said the demolition process began in January 2022, when he arrived in Farmington. New infrastructure including water and sewer lines were installed before the site was prepped for new construction.<\/p>\n

A separate Meeting House will house about three wards, Porter said. Five neighboring houses received backyard walls after a retaining wall was built. Curbs, gutters and sidewalks will be installed, and landscaping will feature a wide variety of trees, shrubs and plants.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be lush, very much like a garden,\u201d Porter said, adding that the public will be welcome to enjoy the grounds. Scarlet globemallow, Concorde Japanese barberry, mesa glow maple, pinon pine and moonglow juniper will highlight the botanical features.<\/p>\n

The temple\u2019s foundation sits on 109 piers adopted because the sandstone-rich soil and shale composition expands when wet. Cardboard beneath the grade beam acts as a shock absorber in case the shale lifts or heaves.<\/p>\n

Standing 226 feet tall from floor to spire, the temple required 126 yards (250 concrete trucks) of concrete for the foundation.<\/p>\n

Eleven local contractors were hired, with Jaynes Corp. serving as a subcontractor and key player, Porter said. He estimated that about 200 people were part of the workforce, along with out-of-state contractors who employ local personnel.<\/p>\n

According to Webb, \u201ceconomic impact can be measured in dollars and in the quality of life that attracts individuals and families to our community,\u201d adding that church members consider retiring in communities that have temples and a comfortable climate and cost of living. Some families have already come, he said, and he anticipates many more, as well as tourists.<\/p>\n

An open house and guided tours will be announced before the dedication by calling (505) 412-2608). \u201cWe can show you things there that we can\u2019t show anywhere else,\u201d McClean said.<\/p>\n

After it is dedicated, entrance will be reserved for members.<\/p>\n

.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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